The Rectory in Lime Park was a virtual time capsule harking back to the Victorian era until around 1900 when carts, coaches and horses were the means of transportation, and a stable was a necessity for those operating any kind of enterprise in the country, as well as being a status symbol.

In fact, the then Manor House produced vegetables for sale in local markets such as Hailsham and Hastings, having a large brick wall to enhance their Victorian Garden, retaining heat during the day, for release during the cold nights. This helped vegetable production.

According to the Land Registry and several property websites, 'The Old Rectory' last changed hands for £790,000 in 2019, at that time the stables block outline was intact, but has since been significantly altered by the demolition of part of the original stabling (at the time being used as garages) in 2022.

For purists this might be seen as a heritage tragedy. For property developers, the cost of doing business. There is though a proposal under formulation to return the area to its former glory, as a Conservation Area, via a petition to the Secretary of State.

In terms of planning blight, there is the looming planning consent for between 70 - 140 houses in the adjacent field (Lime Cross), that is sure to have devalued the site, as the proposed major development would see houses built that bounded the north-east fence of The Rectory. Those developers tried to acquire rights is a shared pond, featuring significant wildlife, to be able to dispose of contaminated surface water - flying in the face of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

One of the main blockers to the threatened development, is the ancient well in Lime Park and water rights attaching thereto. Protected by the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861. Where it is a criminal offence to poison or threaten to poison a water supply. And there are/were no protections built into the 106 Agreement, due to the negligence of Wealden's planners. Hence, developer and council are both liable in case of contamination of the ancient well, from any person buying a house, who uses any pesticides or herbicides, spills oils, etc.

The building adjacent to the converted stable block is a historic monument to the early electricity generation industry, now a Museum with a Science, Technology and Innovation Hub focusing on renewable energy as related to transport, open to the public during the summer months, mostly weekend afternoons.

How these factors might affect any open market valuation depends on the eye of the beholder. They may relish what has been done by the developers. They may not. Potential purchasers may be put off by any number of issues. Conservationist die-hards may even want to purchase to return the stables to their original function. Who knows. One prospective purchaser in 2020 wanted to do just that, including reinstating the forge to make horse shoes, etc.

Another issue, or improvement, is the trade off of garage parking spaces for a new front door, driveway and gates. Some people might have preferred dedicated garaging for cherished cars. Others don't mind parking in the open. Modern cars are relatively impervious to inclement weather.

For sure a lot of money has been spent on this property by the owner-developers. There was talk of building garages to the rear, fronting onto the shared drive. But that would have led to a court case, since the Museum has acquired parking rights in front of a paved area. Part of the land adjacent not belonging to Lime Park Estate Ltd, other rights acquired after 40 year of continuous use, as per the Prescription Act 1832, Sections 2 and 3, including a right to light:

2 In claims of right of way or other easement the periods to be twenty years and forty years.

No claim which may be lawfully made at the common law, by custom, prescription, or grant, to any way or other easement, or to any watercourse, or the use of any water, to be enjoyed or derived upon, over, or from any land or water of our said lord the King, or being parcel of the duchy of Lancaster or of the duchy of Cornwall, or being the property of any ecclesiastical or lay person, or body corporate, when such way or other matter as herein last before mentioned shall have been actually enjoyed by any person claiming right thereto without interruption for the full period of twenty years, shall be defeated or destroyed by showing only that such way or other matter was first enjoyed at any time prior to such period of twenty years, but nevertheless such claim may be defeated in any other way by which the same is now liable to be defeated; and where such way or other matter as herein last before mentioned shall have been so enjoyed as aforesaid for the full period of forty years, the right thereto shall be deemed absolute and indefeasible, unless it shall appear that the same was enjoyed by some consent or agreement expressly given or made for that purpose by deed or writing.

3 Claim to the use of light enjoyed for 20 years.

When the access and use of light to and for any dwelling house, workshop, or other building shall have been actually enjoyed therewith for the full period of twenty years without interruption, the right thereto shall be deemed absolute and indefeasible, any local usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding, unless it shall appear that the same was enjoyed by some consent or agreement expressly made or given for that purpose by deed or writing.

The above screen shots in August 2024 reveal current thinking of The Move Market at that time, relating to the three of the four sections of the Manor House. Not including Lime Cottage, or East Lodge.

The Old Rectory, Lime Park is a detached house spread over 2,562 square feet, making it one of the smaller properties here - it is ranked as the 3rd most expensive property* in BN27 1RF, with a valuation of £850,000.

Since it last sold in November 2020 for £770,000, its value has increased by £80,000.

The property has sold once in the last 29 years.

Without any home improvements, we would expect offers to come in between £820,000 and £880,000

This property is currently valued at £331 per square foot - the latest sale in this postcode sold for £352 per square foot. If this property were to achieve the same price per square foot as the latest^ sale, it would go for £902,000.

MAJOR BUILDING WORKS

The demolition of a corner and roof apex of one of the former stables, was captured on film fortunately. So that at least there is a record of the form of the timbers and roof tiles, etc. For some inexplicable reason, at that time the owners of the Old Rectory, allegedly, did all they could to prevent pictures of the potential heritage devastation being recorded, including calling the local Sussex police.

Then, almost unbelievably, the police threatened the volunteer taking the pictures, if he did not desist. Whereupon the archaeological activist informed the officers attending that it was a Human Right to receive and impart information under Articles 9 and 10, especially in the context of detecting and preventing crime - where the party wall act appeared to have been violated, and no Heritage Statement accompanied the works. The conversation was recorded. The activist also reported crimes committed by the local authority. But the two police officers apparently sent in to apply pressure, were not at all interested in investigating any fraud on the part of Wealden District Council or procedural irregularities leading to possible criminal damage. Or any part played in the alleged, long-running deceptions by the Parish council. The photographs were disseminated widely to ensure they would survive. Since, premises occupied by the activist had been the subject of numerous unwarranted police raids where documents were stolen to order.

This is part of what is thought to be a massive cover up, since the retention policy of the Council is to destroy all documentary proofs relating to the historic Generating Station. It smacks of the Horizon Post Office scandal and the NHS contaminated blood scandal, and associated cover ups.

PARKING DISPUTE

Another potential obstacle to sale without impediment, came in the form of incitement, and/or other participation in renegade non-directors of Lime Park Estate Limited, seeking to assert rights to land use and parking that they had no right to interfere with in 2024. Those rights having been acquired lawfully and without resort to physical violence or actions on the part of the occupiers of the historic Generating Station. This will of course need to be declared on any Form during conveyance, unless the dispute has been resolved finally. Signed, sealed and delivered. Or, if the operators of the shared drive admit to the Right existing by virtue of not responding to lawful challenge in writing. Even so, such matter will need to be declared to any potential incoming prospective purchaser. For any transfer to be lawful.

The original stable building roof was ripped apart, without a Heritage Statement being provided to the local authority, or the county archaeologist. There was no surveyors report in accordance with the provisions of the Party Wall Act. If damage is occasioned as a result of any negligence, it may well fall to be considered as a criminal offence, if part of a deliberate effort to cause harm to a heritage asset. Jill Finn was the registered/recorded owner at the time of this instruction to builders, according to the Land Registry. Nigel Flood appeared to be project managing the building works, allegedly.

Lime Park Estates Limited, owners/occupiers and directors

PETER TOWNLEY - The former owner of The Rectory, now deceased.

LINKS

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FARMING - The backbone of any society is the production of food to feed the population, though these days much of what we eat is imported from other producers, such as fish farmed in Asia. We can no longer find enough fish locally having exhausted our fisheries. Agriculture is also changing where we have drained the soil for so long with artificial fertilizers that yields will fall, meaning a shift to obtaining protein from the sea - but unfortunately we are disposing of around 8 millions tons of plastic in our seas - poisoning marine life that we need to keep us nourished. Food security is therefore high on the United Nations agenda via the Food and Agriculture Organization.